Members of the University Band are protesting a recent ruling by Dean Watson that prevents their using Band buses to bring dates to away football games.

Dean Watson, who this year became acting Director of the Athletic Department, which finances the Band trips, prohibited the practice after this season's Columbia game. Band Manager Phillip E. Johnson '61 is currently negotiating with Watson for removal of the restriction.

For the past several years, Band members have been utilizing bus seats which would otherwise have been unused in order to bring their dates to away games. As the Band's 105 members generally travel in three 41-seat buses, 18 such places are usually available, and these are allotted to members in advance of each trip on a first-come-first-served basis. The Department of Athletics has never before objected to the practice.

Because of the distances involved, the Band occasionally travels overnight with members and dates getting what sleep they can on the buses.

The Band is reportedly protesting Watson's action as an unwarranted withdrawal of a privilege that involves no expense on the part of the University.